Siting Wind Power: Wind Power Curves & Community Considerations (Student Handout) (Assessing the Feasibility of Wind Power for Pennsylvania) Name Part 1: Refresh your memory with a question that may be a breeze for you How is wind created? i. Use the scale above to make an observation about the wind conditions outside of your school today. Record your observations in the box below. Date: Time: Beaufort number: Land Effects observed: ii. Even if there is not much wind blowing today, think about a time when a gust blew your hat from your head or rustled leaves in a tree above you. How do you think wind is created? Siting Wind Power Student Handout 1
Many of the materials and photographs included in this section of the handout have been adapted from the lesson, Wind Power Curves with written permissions from the Kidwind Project, 2093 Sargent Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55105 http://www.kidwind.org Kidwind s production of this document (12/05 Version 1.0) was supported in part by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory through subcontract LEE-5-55877-01. Part 2: Wind Power Curve Analysis The wind power curve to the right is for a Southwest Wind Whisper H40. The data used to generate this graph were obtained on Paul Gipe s wind energy website. Use the graph above to answer these questions. 1. What is the cut in speed? 2. At what speed does this turbine have its maximum output? 3. Why does the output decrease after 28 MPH? 4. Why might it dip at 36 MPH and increase after that? Wind Speed Power Output (MPH) (watts) 0 0 4 10 8 400 12 1200 16 1600 20 1900 24 1700 28 1650 32 1640 36 1500 40 1200 To the left is some data that was observed for a KidWind18 Turbine. Use a separate piece of graph paper or and electronic spreadsheet to create a graph of this data and make your own wind power curve. 5. What is the cut in speed of this turbine? 6. What is the maximum output of this turbine? 7. At what wind speed does the turbine start to furl? 8. How many watts does this turbine make at 14 MPH? 9. How many watts does this turbine make at 30 MPH? 10. Compare this to the curve above. Does it look right?
Proven 2.5XL Bergey XL1 Whisper H40 11. This graph shows power curves for three different turbines. Answer these questions based on the data shown above. a) Which turbine has the lowest cut-in speed? How can you tell? b) Which turbine has the highest maximum power output overall? c) Which one these turbines do you think has the largest diameter blades? Why? d) Which turbine would have the least amount of power output loss when it started to furl out of the wind or reduces its wind speed? e) Why do all the curves peak then move downward? (Doesn t more wind mean more power? hmmm ) f) If you had a limited amount of money and needed a turbine that produced a maximum of 1000 1200 watts which turbine would you choose?
Part 3: Siting a Wind Farm Work with your team to use what you have learned. Use the many resources at your fingertips via the Internet and any additional public records that you may find useful in preparing a wind resource site assessment and recommendation for a wind turbine installment to produce electricity for your school. Be prepared to make a statement to your audience that is supported by evidence gathered from answering and investigating the following list of guiding questions. 1. What kinds of things do you need to assess to site a wind turbine? Data Collection & Analysis What data do you need to have to make your decision? (Does is matter which way the wind blows? What about wind shear? What does the terrain look like? etc.) Account for Local Population Opinions Whose opinion matters? Is the site you are considering on public or private land? Visual Simulations Should you visualize the wind turbine/farm? Cost/Benefit Analysis & State Incentives Does Pennsylvania offer any incentives to help you install your wind turbine/farm? How close are you to the electrical grid? Turbine Specifications Which turbine is the best choice for your site? Why do you think so? Permitting Is there a permitting process associated with siting your wind turbine(s)? If so, what permits are required? 2. Please do apply what you have learned close to home. Take a look at some topographic and political boundary maps to find out where wind power would work as a resource for your community. A list of sources of information is included on the next page to help you get started.
Resources to get started For a wind resource map for Pennsylvania: http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/maps_template.asp?stateab=pa The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection s link on Wind Energy http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/pollprev/energy/wind/default.htm The Danish Wind Industry homepage has an amazing number of resources on siting a wind turbine that are searchable by topic. Check it out! http://www.windpower.org/composite-85.htm Turbine Manufacturer Data: These links have been compiled by the designer at KidWind and will take you to some specification sheets from a variety of small turbine manufacturers. You can examine their output curves and read more about the characteristics of small wind turbines. Some major manufacturers of small and large wind turbines include: Bergey Windpower http://www.bergey.com/ Southwest Windpower http://www.windenergy.com/ Proven Windpower http://www.provenenergy.co.uk/ GE Windpower http://www.gepower.com/businesses/ge_wind_energy/en/index.htm Vestas http://www.vestas.com/uk/home/index.asp Suzlon http://www.suzlon.com/ Gamesa (The turbines featured in the Bear Creek videos are manufactured by this company). http://www.gamesa.es/gamesa/index.htm Mapping Tools: TopoZone http://www.topozone.com/ Google Earth http://www.googleearth.com